Interscope Geffen A&M Ups Gary Kelly to CRO, Global Head of Streaming & Strategy
Since 2017, Kelly has been in charge of all playlisting activities on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other streaming services.
Interscope Geffen A&M has promoted Gary Kelly to chief revenue officer and global head of streaming & strategy, the label group’s chairman/CEO John Janick announced today (Jan. 7) alongside vice chairman Steve Berman.
The new role puts Kelly ever more firmly in charge of the label group’s relationships with streaming services. Since 2017, Kelly has served as executive vp/chief revenue officer at the label group, running all playlisting activities with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other streamers. Now, in addition to continuing to oversee revenue, digital marketing and production, he’ll look after international efforts, working closely with head of international Jurgen Grebner.
“Gary has been a valued member of the IGA family for almost a decade,” Janick commented. “He has been instrumental in successfully navigating market changes over the years for our diverse artist roster, intuitively understanding how culture moves in the global marketplace. I look forward to Gary taking on this expanded role.”
Added Berman: “John and [executive vp] Joie Manda and the entire A&R team have built a powerful roster of talented artists that rivals any in our labels’ nearly 30-year history. Gary and his team have played an important role in ensuring that these amazing artists achieve the success they deserve. I’m happy to be able to announce this promotion.”
A Cleveland native, Kelly got his start in the industry as a college rep for Sony Music Distribution and Epic Records, and has held various marketing and sales positions since. He left Sony for Universal Music Group in 2007, and joined Interscope in 2010 as head of sales. In his new role, he’ll continue to be based at Interscope Geffen A&M’s headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif.
“John and Berman continue to assemble an important legacy of artists supported by an incredible team of executives at Interscope,” Kelly said. “I’m honored to be able to contribute to our success on an even deeper level moving forward.”
The news comes amid the departure of Geffen A&M president Neil Jacobson, who announced in December that he will step down from his role to start his own independent music company, Crescent Drive Productions.
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